The earliest known khachkar, 879

The photograph shows the earliest known Armenian khachkar, dated 879. It was erected by order of Queen Katranide, the first wife of Ashot I the Great, king of Greater Armenia. Ashot I belonged to the Bagratuni royal dynasty.

A large cross is carved on the tall upright stone; the ends of its arms split into two rounded tips. Two elderly bearded men stand on the right and left of the khachkar, on stony ground.

This khachkar shows that already in the 9th century the khachkar had taken shape as an independent memorial, uniting Christian faith, national identity and the art of stone carving.